News Release: Coast Guard, other agencies respond to capsized vessel near Sucia Island, Wash., Friday

13th Coast Guard District Public Affairs

U.S. Coast Guard

News Release

Date:
May 18, 2012

Contact: 13th District Public Affairs

(206) 220-7237

SEATTLE — The U.S. Coast Guard, Sucia Island, Wash., Park Rangers, San Juan County, Wash. Sheriff’s Dept., and Canadian Coast Guard responded when three people ended up in the water in the vicinity of Sucia Island after their recreational vessel capsized Friday.

Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, located in Seattle, received a call from a good Samaritan boater at approximately 2:45 p.m., stating he had recovered three people from the water after their recreational vessel capsized in the vicinity of Sucia Island.

Sector Puget Sound launched a 33-foot special purpose craft crew from Station Bellingham and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles, Wash., to the scene. Coast Guard crews arrived on scene to find a Sucia Island Park Ranger already on scene performing CPR on one of the victims.

A Coast Guard crewmember and a San Juan County paramedic continued to attempt CPR on the victim but were unable to resuscitate him.

The two survivors were transported to Friday Harbor, Wash., and placed in the care of local EMS.

All three victims were wearing lifejackets.

“This is an unfortunate case and our condolences go out to the family of the crewmember that is deceased,” said Capt. Scott Ferguson, Sector Puget Sound commanding officer. “All three crewmembers were wearing their lifejackets which is a very good thing that most likely prevented the accident from being worse. Please remember our waters are always in the 50 degrees Fahrenheit range. Be sure to take extra safety precautions when you are boating knowing the unforgiving nature of our water temperatures.”

For more information about the Coast Guard’s involvement in this case, please contact Petty Officer Nate Littlejohn at (816) 582-1725.

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Article source: http://www.d13.uscgnews.com/go/doc/21/1442463/

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